Summer's usually a slow time in Shanghai with the heat driving everyone away or toward any body of water, whether it be the Huangpu, a pool or a Jacuzzi. That said, I recently swung by the new Otto Café & Wine Bar on Nanjing Xi Lu and chatted with Francesco about their plans for cooling down patrons of this classy establishment. Although permits are still pending, the new Otto hopes to put its expansive deck space to good use by adding a Jacuzzi. And I thought this wine bar couldn't get any better.

Another body of water being added to the Shanghai scene is at the new Pier One complex by Suzhou Creek. The venue boasts a hotel and Italian restaurant but also a bar and rooftop terrace. The bar, V Bar, will play the requisite house music and the roof will be home to a Jacuzzi–it's also summer barbecue ready.

Speaking of openings, I heard through the Nightlife grapevine of a new bar, Bell Café & Bar, in Tianzifang worth checking out. Bucking the boho lane trend, the owner's created an old-time Shanghai feel that's already attracted a local TV star or two.

Although other recent openings left me a bit underwhelmed (as in the seemingly hasty LAN Club opening), I'm still looking forward to the–albeit delayed–Sugar and M1NT openings. I'm sure these setbacks are not entirely intentional, but waiting until the end of the summer when the masses are back, visas are plenty and the heat is over seems like a good idea.

Finally, although live music in Shanghai is still alive and well (and hopefully better come the realization of Midi "take two" in Beijing this fall and big upcoming plans from JZ Club and Emma Entertainment), just make sure you jot down that the JZ's All-Star Big Band and the Melting Pot's Dovetail Joints and Cardinals are all taking the summer off.

Are editors allowed to escape the heat and do the same?